Tree Talks is a podcast series launched in February of 2024. The podcast explores a wider narratives rooted in the flora of Lunuganga. The first season delves into the themes of rituals, healing, and habitats while questioning our relationship to trees and nature, which are often taken for granted. The podcast series gives insights to the process of deriving a multitude of conversations based on the garden featuring naturalist Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, fashion designer and researcher Sanjeewa Wijesundara, cultural anthropologist Dr Danister Perera, architect Aquila Peris, Head Gardener at Lunuganga Mulle Widanalage Amarasiri and ornithologist and ecologist Professor Sarath Kotagama.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust.
Episode 01
Rooted Histories
Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
Transcripts:
*Clarification [03:54]: Plant matter in general dates back four hundred to five hundred million years, not water lilies specifically.
In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.
This episode is a walk through Lunuganga on a cool January day with Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, naturalist, photographer and author of 'A Naturalist Guide to the Trees of Sri Lanka'. Gehan uncovers the intricacies of Lunuganga's flora and the fauna that flourish in its embrace as he reflects on the histories and migrations of select trees along the path and the influence of humans on globalised horticulture.
This episode follows a path from the Reading Room to the Field of Jars passing by the Jackfruit, Bilin, Mahogany, Mango, Araliya, Na, Fishtail Palm and Hora trees. A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites.
Credits
Produced by: Geoffrey Bawa Trust
Supervising Producer: Aneesha Mustachi
Coordinator: Dhaneesha Tharakie
Audio Engineer: Shamin De Silva
Episode 02
Plant Pigments
Sanjeewa Wijesundara
Transcripts:
In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.
This episode is an exploration of pigment extractions and the human connection to trees through craft with Fashion Designer and Researcher Sanjeewa Wijesundara. Sanjeewa expounds upon the nuances and diversity of pigments and the processes used throughout history for extraction. With the help of select trees he reflects on the intimacy between colourist and plants nourished through technical experimentation and respectful curiosity.
This episode follows a path from the Field of Jars to the East Terrace passing by the Kumbuk, Cashew, Jackfruit, Mahogany, Tamarind and Hibiscus trees. A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites.
Credits
Produced by: Geoffrey Bawa Trust
Supervising Producer: Aneesha Mustachi
Writer and Coordinator: Dhaneesha Tharakie
Audio Engineer: Shamin De Silva
Episode 03
Shaded Divinity
Dr. Danister Perera
Transcripts:
In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.
The Moonamal tree placed so meticulously on the crest of Cinnamon Hill lawn draws one's eye from the Main House to the Dedduwa Lake. Its sprawling branches offer shade and respite to those making their way toward the Southern bank of the lake. Dedduwa lake is avowed for mystic folklore, most interestingly the lore of the spirit of a monk that resides abode a tree on the lake’s Honduwa island.
Stories passed down from generations can often have an interconnectedness with nature. In this episode ayurvedic expert and cultural anthropologist Dr. Danister Perera delves into the cultural and spiritual curiosities of trees like Moonamal that have inspired creators and storytellers, gathered sages and devotees and healed minds and bodies over the centuries.
A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites.
Credits
Produced by: Geoffrey Bawa Trust
Supervising Producer: Aneesha Mustachi
Coordinator: Dhaneesha Tharakie
Audio Engineer: Shamin De Silva
Episode 04
A Tree Story
Aquila Peris
Transcripts:
In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.
Architect Aquila Peris shares tales about the garden and his time spent there with Geoffrey Bawa as he walks along his favourite trail at Lunuganga. The garden holds many unexpected and inconspicuous curiosities; items that intrigued, inspired and even influenced Bawa’s practice. This episode is a nod to the spirit of the garden and the notions behind its creation.
A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites.
Credits
Produced by: Geoffrey Bawa Trust
Supervising Producer: Aneesha Mustachi
Coordinator: Dhaneesha Tharakie
Audio Engineer: Shamin De Silva
Episode 05
Garden Rituals
Mulle Widanalage Amarasiri
In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.
This episode is in reverence to Lunuganga, to capture the essence of the garden, brimming with life and wonder, as an auditory experience. The vistas around the garden house varying ecosystems with their own soundscapes that change through the day. Changes in seasons bring with it shifts in care. The delicate and mammoth task of preserving and planning through the years are a credit to the custodians of the garden; this episode is our homage to the pulse of Lunuganga, the gardeners.
A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites.
Credits
Produced by: Geoffrey Bawa Trust
Supervising Producer: Aneesha Mustachi
Coordinator: Dhaneesha Tharakie
Audio Engineer: Shamin De Silva
Transcripts:
Episode 06
Bird Calls
Prof. Sarath Kotagama
In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.
The strength of an ecosystem can be measured by the diversity of the birds that call it home. Prof. Sarath Kotagama takes a casual stroll through the varying sculpted landscapes of Lunuganga, and highlights active birds that have formed their habitats in and around the garden. This episode highlights the wonder and adaptability of birds to their environment and how humans too can learn to live in alignment with nature.
A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites.
Credits
Produced by: Geoffrey Bawa Trust
Supervising Producer: Aneesha Mustachi
Coordinator: Dhaneesha Tharakie
Audio Engineer: Shamin De Silva
Transcripts: